Tucked away on Jamaica Street, Wee Buddha is a laidback bar and kitchen with innovative Asian dishes, inventive cocktails and a decent beer list. Dog and child friendly, it neatly manages to be both a hip city centre-style bar and a relaxed local hangout. Guests are just as welcome to drop in for an after work pint and a few chicken wings as they are to settle in for an extended dinner.
The main menu at Wee Buddha is divided between two sections: ‘Wee hings’ and ‘Bowls and chopstick’. The former are small plates of gyoza dumplings, salt and chilli squid, haggis wontons and two varieties of spicy wings. The latter section includes stir fries, a Malay curry and Singapore noodles. It is a fun selection which is worth exploring and, of course, the staff are always happy to advise.
At weekends, the brunch and Sunday roast menu comes into play. The brunch features familiar egg options and a pick and mix of other cooked breakfast items. The roasts are available as a traditional Sunday roast with all the trimmings or with an Asian twist.
Wee Buddha is on Jamaica Street, just off Howe Street in Edinburgh’s New Town. There is restricted on-street parking and the nearest train station, Waverley, is a ten minute taxi ride. The shops of Princes and George Street are a ten minute walk as is the National Portrait Gallery. The Botanics are a fifteen minute stroll.